VISION 22 PRIORITY ACTION PROGRESS REPORT 25
Introduction In the spring of 24, McGill University approved its first sustainability strategy, Vision 22. More than,5 McGill community members came together to collectively craft this strategy. Vision 22 consists of vision, 23 goals, and 4 priority actions across five categories: Research, Education, Connectivity, Operations and Governance & Administration. The approval of the Vision 22 Sustainability Strategy was a major step forward for McGill, providing a common framework and vocabulary for engaging partners to advance our highest priority sustainability dossiers. Although we are only one year into what is by its nature an evolutionary process of embedding sustainability into our organizational fabric, Vision 22 has already produced some tangible accomplishments, a few of which are highlighted in this report. The vision and goals of the sustainability strategy are intended to endure over the long-term. The fourteen priority actions cover the 24-26 period. Each action is associated with specific deliverables (56 in total). For more detail on the priority actions, including a full list of deliverables, see the document Priority Action Briefs 24-26. This progress report illustrates how those actions and deliverables are being implemented halfway through the 24-26 period. Overall, progress toward the fourteen priority actions of Vision 22 is proceeding very well. As anticipated halfway through the 24-26 reporting period, the average of all the Vision 22 deliverables indicates that the overall degree of completion is currently 5%: 6 are ongoing; are completed; 2 are in progress; 9 are not started. by Category Research Education Connectvity Operations Governance & Administration 32% 52% 87% 5% 56% Overall : 5% (average of all deliverables) Methodology The units which committed to the deliverables under each action were involved in identifying a percentage that illustrates the degree of completion for each deliverable (see description on right). that are categorized as ongoing were not assigned a percentage and were not taken into account when averaging the degree of completion. These results are meant to give quick overview of where we are and how we are doing in the implementation of Vision 22. They should not be used to judge the performance of the units involved many factors come into play when trying to implement an action, including complexity of deliverables, ambitiousness of deliverables, number of ongoing deliverables, and availability of resources. Not started (%): There has been a decision to move forward with this deliverable but no activity has been initiated. Between % and 4%: Some activities have been initiated in order to achieve the deliverable. A few of those produced the anticipated outcomes. 5%: The activities related to the deliverable are about half way through. Between 6% and 9%: All the activities have been initiated in order to achieve the deliverable. Most of them produced the anticipated outcomes. Completed (%): The anticipated outcomes have been met. Ongoing: No % can be associated. Activities related to the deliverable are constantly maintained by the unit responsible for it. Page
Research Priority Actions for 24-26 In - 5 4 Not Started - 3 average 32% Action : Defining Sustainability Research Through a consultative process, develop a working definition of sustainability research and map the presence of such research at McGill. Subcommittee of Research Advisory Council created, literature review completed, draft definition developed. Consultation & finalization 25-26. Office of the Vice-Principal Research and International Relations In - Action 2: Collaborative Sustainability Research Develop a networking platform to facilitate collaborative sustainability research. Collaboration among key partners has increased. Many activities by individual partners underway. Opportunities for greater coordination are being explored (e.g. providing harmonized feedback to students on their initiatives). Marcel Desautels Institute for Integrated Management, McGill School of Environment, Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design, Office of the Vice-Principal Research and International Relations, McGill Office of Sustainability Completed - In - Not Started - 2 3 Action 3: Sustainable Labs Develop and implement a Sustainable Labs program aiming to foster sustainability in labs. Multi-stakeholder working group meeting regularly, best practices research initiated, initial recommendations made. Implementation expected 25-26. Environmental Health & Safety Completed - In - 2 Not Started - Research Highlight Action 3 (Sustainable Labs): Building on the groundwork laid by a number of successful Sustainability Projects Fund projects on this topic, a Sustainable Labs Working Group has taken ownership of this action, meeting regularly, engaging relevant faculty, staff, and student groups, working to develop a sustainability checklist to be incorporated into lab safety inspections. Page 2
Education Priority Actions for 24-26 In - 3 4 Not Started - average 52% Action 4: Applied Student Reseach Identify and facilitate opportunities for applied student research that advances sustainability. Resources (video, powerpoints, databases) have been developed and updated. Outreach activities (to professors and students) and facilitation support (for McGill-focused sustainability applied student research projects) underway. McGill Office of Sustainability Completed - In - 2 4 Not Started - Action 5: Faculty Fellows In Sustainability Develop a program in which small groups of faculty members are identified each year as Faculty Fellows in Sustainability. Sustainability Faculty Fellows project was funded by Sustainability Projects Fund and piloted with Faculty of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences and Department of Integrated Studies in Education. Implementation to continue in 25-26. Teaching and Learning Services Completed - In - Not Started - 2 Education Highlight Action 5 (Faculty Fellows in Sustainability): Funding was sought and awarded from the Sustainability Projects Fund for a pilot version of this project, which was well-received by participating faculty members interested in integrating sustainability into their courses. Discussions are now underway with leaders in other faculties to determine how to adapt and expand the model to their contexts. Page 3
Connectivity Priority Actions for 24-26 In - 2 4 Not Started - average 87% Action 6: Campus Hubs Renovate underused indoor and outdoor spaces on campus to transform them into community gathering spaces. Prioritized list of spaces to renovate created. Initial funding sought, some secured. Active partnership developed between student-led McGill Spaces Project and Campus & Space Planning unit. Campus & Space Planning, McGill Spaces Project, Student Housing & Hospitality Services In - 2 2 Not Started - Action 7: Sustainable McTavish Collaborate with the City of Montreal and other partners to redevelop McTavish Street into a pedestrian-friendly corridor that showcases best practices in sustainable urban planning and serves as a center of community activity. Active, ongoing participation by McGill staff in City of Montreal planning process to ensure McGill priorities are reflected. Campus and Space Planning Completed - In - Not Started - 2 Connectivity Highlight Action 6 (Campus Hubs): The student-led McGill Spaces Project has flourished in the past year, working with the Campus & Space Planning unit to develop a list of high-priority spaces for redevelopment. In winter 25, the McGill Spaces Project also partnered with the School of Architecture and Student Services to create a hands-on class in which students developed designs for the interior of the Brown Building. Page 4
Operations Priority Actions for 24-26 In - 6 4 Not Started - 3 average 5% Action 8: Green Building Adopt McGill green building standards that incorporate the LEED credit system and aim to achieve at least LEED Silver for all major construction and renovation projects. Green building standards completed and approved. Funding secured from Sustainability Projects Fund for implementation. Design Services In - Not Started - Action 9: Sustainable Procurement Implement the Sustainable Procurement Strategic Action Plan. Action : Waste Management Procurement staff, buyers, and administrators trained in sustainability and life-cycle thinking. Supplier code of conduct incorporating sustainability criteria developed, sustainability criteria incorporated into calls for tender. Regulation and procedures governing end-of-life IT equipment developed and currently being rolled out. Procurement Services In - 3 Not Started - Conduct a campus waste assessment and develop a waste action plan. Focus was primarily on scaling up various initiatives related to waste management (composting of leaves and woodchips, recycling of hand paper towel, installment of multi-stations, usage of green products and tools for floor cleaning, etc.). Buildings and Grounds Completed - In - Not Started - Action : Energy & Climate Develop a new energy action plan and track GHG emissions. Tracking & reporting of GHG emissions is ongoing, along with energy conservation measures. GHG Working Group established to consider emissions related to air travel. Utilities & Energy Management, Procurement Services Completed - In - 3 Operations Highlight Action 9 (Sustainable Procurement): All procurement staff, buyers, and administrators have been trained in sustainability and life-cycle thinking. A supplier code of conduct incorporating sustainability criteria has been developed and sustainability criteria have been incorporated into calls for tender. A regulation and procedures governing end-of-life IT equipment has been developed and is currently being rolled out. Page 5
Governance & Administration Priority Actions for 24-26 Completed - 3 In - 5 average 56% Action 2: Monitoring & Reporting Develop a framework for monitoring & reporting on sustainability performance across the five categories of Vision 22. Best practices research completed, reporting framework developed. Vision 22 reporting underway, next submission to AASHE STARS anticipated Winter 26. McGill Office of Sustainability In - 2 Not Started - Action 3: Socially Responsible Investment Convene a public consultation on the revision of the terms of reference of the Committee to Advise on Matters of Social Responsibility. Committee to Advise on Matters of Social Responsibility held public consultations on mandate and revised Terms of Reference. Definition of social injury broadened to include impact on natural environment. McGill s Secretariat, McGill Office of Sustainability In - Not Started - Action 4: Advisory Council on Sustainability Establish an Advisory Council on Sustainability and name a Senior Advisor on Sustainability. Draft mandate, membership and terms of reference developed. McGill Office of Sustainability Completed - In - 2 Governance & Administration Highlight Action 4 (Advisory Council on Sustainability): This action represents a key opportunity to solidify McGill s sustainability governance and elevate sustainability as a core part of our identity. In addition to various conversations with key stakeholders, a draft mandate, membership and terms of reference have been proposed. Further progress on this action is anticipated in 26. Page 6